In his opening monologue, a popular late night TV host recently quipped, “They’re considering a new ten cent fee on grocery bags here in New York. My mom was like ‘who’s laughing at the eight-thousand bags under the sink now?’” While humorous, this anecdote pokes fun at the all-too-common trend of excess in the United States — specifically around things we don’t actually need.

From data compiled at becomingminimalist.com, research reveals:

There are 300,000 items in the average American home.

One out of every 10 Americans rent offsite storage — the fastest growing segment of the commercial real estate industry over the past four decades.

The average American throws away 65 pounds of clothing per year.

25 percent of people with two-car garages don’t have room to actually park cars inside them.

Do any of these stats hit a little too close to home? What do you have that could be given away? A little creative “housekeeping” could go a long way toward a more peaceful life. Are you called to “give away” some excess in order to simplify your life and be a blessing to others?

Since being permanently signed into law, the charitable IRA rollover has been a great tax planning strategy for donors “giving away” between $100 and $100,000. When you make a direct transfer from your IRA to a charity, the gift:

Remains outside of your adjusted gross income

Counts toward your required minimum distribution for the year

Serves as an intuitive option for those taking the increased standard deduction

Is tax-free

Will impact lives for generations to come.

Would you consider ‘giving away’ a portion of the retirement assets you no longer need if they could be transformed into changed lives? Give a gift to a ministry you love and that’s exactly what they’ll do!